Any Puget Sound luck for Coho??

I've been out about 3 times for fall coho in the sound. I've done better than most getting 2 one time, 1 another and skunked only once. Still, it hasn't been great. In general the fish are much deeper than normal (about 100'). I might give it another try this Sun.
 
I've been out a half dozen times without landing a single coho. I keep copying the techniques (green hoochies, white hoochies, Ace Hi flies, 30", 36", 60', 100', 2 mph, 3 mph, etc..) of the few people I talk to who do have some success, but so far nothing has rubbed off on me.

The consensus I've heard seem to be: The fish stayed offshore gorging themselves longer than usual due to the lack of rain triggering the spawning instinct; when we finally got the rain, they came in but aren't eating. So what happens now? If we don't get rain will they hang around and get hungry? If we get rain will they hit the rivers? Will they blast through regardless? I'm certainly clueless. But I'm having too much fun out there to slow down. And with the nice weather we've been having I may not catch a fish but I've been catching some nice rays.

Any tips from you successful guys out there would be much appreciated!
(anyone have any good recipes for dogfish?)

Fishless in Seattle
 
Seahooked,

Try a green and white Coho Killer 18" behind the flasher using 20lb test leader. Set the boat speed so that the spoon has a LOT of action and then drop it down. Early morning start shallow and then as the sun comes up drop down. I've heard of people getting them as deep as 150' this year. My goto depth is usually 68' on the cable.

I usually fish with 12# downrigger balls. I like to have the cables angling back about 45 degrees off the downrigger and will then slightly adjust the speed until the cable sings. When I have 1 rigger singing and another silent the singing rigger ALWAYS gets the fish!

I haven't been out this year. Too much work and not enough time to work on the boats. I will be getting out on a charter in the San Juans on Saturday though. I'm really looking forward to it! Man I'm tired of working 7 days a week!
 
Gary,
Is there a particular size of the Coho killer. Also, should I tip the hook with a herring strip or some other scent attractant?
Thanks,
 
Chris,
If you can get past skinning the beasts, they cook up pretty good in batter as in Fish and Chips. Very often used in Europe. No bones so very good for elderly (not that we have any of those around here !!)

Merv (also very fishless so far this year)
 
No, the Coho Killer only comes in one size. And tipping it would ruin the action. But you should coat it with smelly jelly just to remove your scent.

BTW: You might look up L-Serine on the web. There have been many studies on its affect on fish. Using something like smelly jelly will help if you are one of the unlucky ones who have a lot of L-Serine in their systems.
 
Thank God the Blackmouth season opened up. I was starting to lose confidence with coho being a bust. The last 3 years I have totally had the shipwreck dialed in and this year no coho.

Switched to blackmouth up by Baby Island and got some fresh fish for a change.

Baby Island
 
Great pic, nice fish, great news! We might have to hit the sound next weekend for Blackmouth since the Coho fishing was such a bust this year. Maybe we'll see you out there.
 
Back
Top